Northern vs. Southern cultural adaptation
The triangle trade created a winning situation for everyone involved. America traded rum, the Caribbean traded molasses, and Africa traded slaves. All three gave a little and got a little. Of course, America and the Caribbean were trading products that were not alive. Africa was turning humans into products, all the while neglecting their health, family, and cultural ties. The African slaves were brought to America in mass numbers in unbelievably uncomfortable settings, and many of them died on the passage across the Atlantic. The trader's mentality was to pack as many slaves as possible onto the ship, and if a few died along the way, so be it. Their approach to the slaves was the same as their approach to a boatload of lettuce. Some of it may be rotten or dead by the time the journey ends, but as long as there is enough left over to satisfy the demand of the customers, everything works out. Since the slaves were treated in such a demeaning manner, it is a miracle that they even remembered their culture at all. Of course, over time, the slaves began to accept the American cultures. Sometimes they did this in order to try to gain favor with the whites, and other times they did it because it became a part of their lives n
They adapted "evangelical Christianity to their own healing magic, emotional singing, and raucous funerals that celebrated death as a spiritual liberation and restoration to Africa". The biggest difference, of course, was simply the climate. The end resulted in the slaves selectively choosing the culture that best suited them. For example, African slaves only accounted for "two percent of New England's" total population. So in other words, the Chesapeake slaves had a little bit of both worlds. Negro Election Day allowed the slaves to celebrate their superiors within the black community, as well as enjoy freedom. The task system allowed the slaves to have the day to themselves once they had finished the daily chores. At the festival, they would dance, sing, eat, and, for one day at least, act free. During their own time the southern slaves "tended gardens, and a few livestock, which they could sell to purchase goods, principally better clothing". A good example is that of accents in speech. So if the slaves worked hard in the morning, they could have the rest of afternoon to do what they pleased. They got to work and live beside and among their white masters.
Common topics in this essay:
Election Day,
North America,
Northern America,
Africa Taylor,
America Caribbean,
Virginia Taylor,
Similarly African,
,
american culture,
Virginia Maryland,
taylor 333,
northern slaves,
african slaves,
southern slaves,
taylor 336,
african culture,
taylor 335,
living arrangements,
slaves south,
adapt american culture,
slaves northern america,
result northern slaves,
culture own african,
negro election day,
|
Acceptance Essays
